PSG's Bradley Barcola ruled out with ankle injury ahead of key fixtures
Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola will miss Friday's Ligue 1 match against Toulouse and is a doubt for next week's Champions League clash with Liverpool due to an ankle injury. The club confirmed the news in its standard pre-match medical update on Thursday, stating Barcola remains unavailable after suffering the sprain during the recent match against Chelsea. Midfielder Fabián Ruiz is also sidelined with a knee injury sustained in January.
Barcola, 23, has been undergoing individual rehabilitation work alongside Ruiz while the squad prepares for a critical period. The French international's absence is a significant blow for manager Luis Enrique, who has relied on the winger's pace and direct running in both domestic and European competitions this season. His injury comes at an inopportune moment, with PSG aiming to consolidate its position at the top of Ligue 1 and advance in Europe.
The former Lyon player joined PSG in the summer of 2023 and has developed into a key component of the attacking line, often operating on the left flank. His form this campaign had made him a regular starter, contributing goals and assists in crucial moments. According to the club's update, young midfielder Senny Mayulu has returned to group training after his own recent injury, but defender Quentin Ndjantou remains in a treatment phase following hamstring surgery in December 2025.
With the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool scheduled for April 8, Enrique faces selection headaches in wide areas. The medical report did not provide a specific timeline for Barcola's return, leaving his participation in the European tie in serious doubt. The manager may now turn to alternatives like Ousmane Dembélé or Gonçalo Ramos to fill the void on the wing for the coming matches.
Barcola's injury history has been relatively clean since his arrival at the Parc des Princes, making this setback particularly frustrating for player and club. PSG's depth will be tested during a congested April schedule that could define their season. The club's medical staff will work intensively in the coming days to assess his potential availability for the high-profile encounter with Jurgen Klopp's side.
